The Beginning...

150^th Anniversary ~ The Beginning…..

“For we are all God’s fellow workers; you are God’s field, God’s building.”  I Cor. 3:9

At the beginning of the nineteenth century, when Youngstown was a mere village extending from Spring Commons to Basin Street, and from the river to the hill, there were also Lutheran families among the inhabitants.  These walked to Boardman or Girard to attend divine worship.  In 1857 a committee of which Mr. Philip Ludt was chairman, came to Boardman for an interview with the Rev. Kranz, desiring of him to make this new field a part of his parish and thus became the first Lutheran pastor of Youngstown.

Not long after this, certain Protestants of Youngstown agreed to build a “community” church and the Lutheran constituency of the village were invited to join the enterprise.  A small frame church was built beyond the Mahoning River.  However, it was not long until our Lutheran people learned that they were not to enjoy equal advantages with other Protestants, but that the community church was eventually to become one of Reformed persuasion.  Dissatisfied with the movement, the Lutheran membership withdrew and on May 1, 1859, 150 years ago this year, organized the Evangelical Lutheran Martin Luther Congregation, with twenty-two men joining as charter members.

Temporarily the new congregation was served by the Rev. F. Becker; however, he could only serve intermittently, so the new congregation applied for membership to the Joint Synod of Ohio, that they may obtain regular pastoral care.  In the following fall, Martin Luther’s church united with the Eastern district of the synod.  The Rev. L. Krebs, pastor of the Lutheran congregation at Brookfield was invited to the first regular pastorate and accepted, at first serving the church from Brookfield.  It was a meager salary with which Pastor Krebs was paid.  In the church’s minutes of August 7, 1859 there appears the following record:  “After the rental for the meeting places has been deducted, the balance of all money received shall be paid the pastor.”

Hitherto the congregation had worshipped in halls; now the congregation felt they must do something toward having their own church.  In March of 1862 it was resolved to buy a lot and build a new brick church.  The fact that times were hard and their numbers still few was not permitted to deter them.  In the spring of 1862 the cornerstone was laid on the corner of Wood and Champion Streets. On November 3, dedication to the new church followed.  The following is a quote from the minutes of March 2, 1862 as the secretary made record of it:  “I cannot refrain from making record of the spirit that prevailed at this meeting, so that posterity may read: of the 52 members of record 46 were present.  There was in evidence a Christian harmony.  Those members who spoke gave evidence that they were contending for the progress and welfare of the church; those who were silent showed by demeanor and acts that they were filled with the same spirit.  Everything was given thoro and quick consideration.  Always did we arrive at unanimous conclusions.  O that our dear congregation will ever hold this harmony until our church has been dedicated to the Lord; and then may peace reign supreme in future days!”

Faith in God made these sturdy people courageous.  The entire record of those days speaks of this fact.  The times were hard; civil war raged in the land.  In order to save money the members themselves dug the foundation trenches and the carpenters received $1.50 for a day wages.  The cost of the building was $3,431.48 of which $2,286.60 had been paid.  Each member pledged himself $1 monthly.  So well did they succeed that three years later they undertook new obligations: the people desired a steeple and a bell, these were procured. 

Acknowledgement:  This text was gleaned from the Dedication Book of March 11, 1934, with a change to 150 years, instead of 75 years.  Next Month ~ Hudson and Clearmount